Page 1 of 2
Busines Booming in Afghanistan
Posted: 2003-02-27 12:51am
by Alex Moon
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/ar ... Feb25.html
Although countries around the world have promised more than $4 billion in aid to rebuild Afghanistan, there are today very few visible signs of the planned roads and schools and infrastructure projects. There are, however, signs throughout the capital, and in many provinces, of fast and dramatic change as Afghans and some intrepid foreigners open shops, businesses and even factories, quickly put up buildings to house them, and buy enough cars to create daily traffic jams.
Posted: 2003-02-27 01:12am
by RedImperator
Capitalism triumphs again! Praise be to Adam Smith!
Posted: 2003-02-27 01:28am
by Shadow WarChief
And once again, it is proven, that capitalism works.
Posted: 2003-02-27 01:31am
by neoolong
Praise be to the free market. Now let's load up the planes with American clothing and start a selling.
Posted: 2003-02-27 06:00am
by Mr Bean
Move up the Strike Force, Depoly Pokemon and Gamboy forces
Quickly build two computer manfucationing Plants there, Make this our second Tawian
And they should be good to go(Besides of course giving them a nice fat discount on American Grain)
Posted: 2003-02-27 07:17am
by Crown
neoolong wrote:Praise be to the free market. Now let's load up the planes with American clothing and start a selling.
Or more correctly, lets load the plane with Chinese/Pakastani fabric, and open an exploitive sweatshop, then transport to the west and sell at ridiculous prices for a certain 'label'.
Posted: 2003-02-27 07:24am
by Dahak
The problem is that Kabul is not Afghanistan.
The "business" in the rest of Afghanistan is still firmly in the hand of the various warlords, degrading Karzai to a mayor of Kabul.
Outside KAbul, the money is still made with smuggling and/or drugs.
Posted: 2003-02-27 07:28am
by Admiral Valdemar
Dahak wrote:The problem is that Kabul is not Afghanistan.
The "business" in the rest of Afghanistan is still firmly in the hand of the various warlords, degrading Karzai to a mayor of Kabul.
Outside KAbul, the money is still made with smuggling and/or drugs.
How's that different from LA or Manchester?
Posted: 2003-02-27 08:47am
by theski
Alright, Capitialism!! We need 15 Starbucks, 2 Best Buys and 3 Targets and they will be done.
Posted: 2003-02-27 08:53am
by Hamel
Just wait until one of these megacorps pulls a Nestle and starts exploiting people.
Posted: 2003-02-27 10:39am
by Vympel
closet sci-fi fan wrote:I thought we were training a strong Afghan army that would eventually do the job the US + allie's troops are doing. Does anyone know how it's progressing?
A boondoggle. They can't retain the troops they train (who either bugger off home or go join a warlord), I hear.
Posted: 2003-02-27 11:47am
by salm
We need a World Trade Center in Kabul.
Posted: 2003-02-27 12:06pm
by Alex Moon
Dahak wrote:The problem is that Kabul is not Afghanistan.
The "business" in the rest of Afghanistan is still firmly in the hand of the various warlords, degrading Karzai to a mayor of Kabul.
Outside KAbul, the money is still made with smuggling and/or drugs.
It'll take time for the country to fully stabalize. However this is a positive sign. As Kabul and other cities begin to flourish, they're success will expand influence outwards. People are more likely to support the Afghan government over the warlords if they believe that they'll be better off.
Posted: 2003-02-27 12:29pm
by Dahak
closet sci-fi fan wrote:I thought we were training a strong Afghan army that would eventually do the job the US + allie's troops are doing. Does anyone know how it's progressing?
They mostly leave for the warlords. They pay more.
And Karzai isn't getting the money he would need or has been promised...
Posted: 2003-02-27 12:31pm
by Dahak
Alex Moon wrote:Dahak wrote:The problem is that Kabul is not Afghanistan.
The "business" in the rest of Afghanistan is still firmly in the hand of the various warlords, degrading Karzai to a mayor of Kabul.
Outside KAbul, the money is still made with smuggling and/or drugs.
It'll take time for the country to fully stabalize. However this is a positive sign. As Kabul and other cities begin to flourish, they're success will expand influence outwards. People are more likely to support the Afghan government over the warlords if they believe that they'll be better off.
YOU should change "Kabul and other cities" to just Kabul, because that's the city the international troops and the "governments" influence is limited to. The rest of Afghanistan is firmly in the hand of the warlords.
Posted: 2003-02-27 12:36pm
by Posbi
What Dahak said.
Posted: 2003-02-27 04:14pm
by HemlockGrey
Ah, yes, but capitalism invariably leads to a better social and economic climate than feudalism(yes, I realize the rest of Afganistan is not technically feudalism. Don't tell marina) so as Kabul becomes wealthier and more prosporous, the power of the warlords will crumble.
Money makes the world go 'round.
Posted: 2003-02-27 04:19pm
by neoolong
HemlockGrey wrote:Ah, yes, but capitalism invariably leads to a better social and economic climate than feudalism(yes, I realize the rest of Afganistan is not technically feudalism. Don't tell marina) so as Kabul becomes wealthier and more prosporous, the power of the warlords will crumble.
Money makes the world go 'round.
Actually you'll need a government to maintain the better climate. After the crumbling warlords, you'll need a good government. Smith even admits this in Book 4 and 5 of Wealth of Nations.
Posted: 2003-02-27 04:22pm
by HemlockGrey
As Karzai's wealth grows, so will his influence.
Posted: 2003-02-27 04:23pm
by HemlockGrey
Oh, and I never read Smith...
Posted: 2003-02-27 04:28pm
by neoolong
HemlockGrey wrote:Oh, and I never read Smith...
Infidel. You call yourself a capitalist and you have never read the holy text? You will burn.
Posted: 2003-02-27 07:59pm
by Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi
Now, when will Starbucks decide to place a Starbucks on every street corner in Kabul?
"Kabul Starbucks Coffee: Worth spending a year's paycheck in the sweatshop on!"
Then, the McDonald's rrestaurants will roll in, so the long-opressed Afghani people can enjoy reheated, processed burgers.
Then, American reality TV will come in.
Posted: 2003-02-27 08:04pm
by HemlockGrey
Of course, it's always oppression with you people, isn't it?
Posted: 2003-02-27 08:23pm
by Enforcer Talen
I really dont think every company opresses it's people - once the human rights people hear about it, it's protests, and loss of customers, and other nastiness.
let the capalisim flow!
Posted: 2003-02-27 08:26pm
by Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi
Enforcer Talen wrote:I really dont think every company opresses it's people - once the human rights people hear about it, it's protests, and loss of customers, and other nastiness.
let the capalisim flow!
Besides, if these kids in third world countries weren't working in sweatshops, they's probably be starving on the streets, or working for even less at some other place. Still, I think a bit more should go to them.